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Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - AUSTIN COLLECTION: Ray Beer, Central Deborah Gold Mine
Ray Beer was an employee of the Central Deborah Gold Mine. February 15th 2009: Bendigo Advertiser: 'MINING stalwart Raymond Beer has died at the age of 74 after a battle with cancer. He leaves behind an extended family and a legacy in Bendigo’s mining history. Ray was mine manager at the Central Deborah Gold Mine - appointed in 1978 - and led the team that made possible the underground project at the second level. He had a vision to allow visitors to go underground and experience Bendigo’s mining heritage first hand. Ray was responsible for developing the new battery, shaft and poppet head to make this a reality. It took persistence and lots of hard work. Friend and work colleague Bill McNamara said Ray was as good as 10 men. His enthusiasm and work ethic were unprecedented. Ray will be sadly missed by his wife, Thelma, six children, 15 grandchildren, seven brothers, three sisters, his extended family, and friends. He will be remembered for his kindness, tenacity and strength of character. In recognition of his contribution to Bendigo’s mining history, after more than 20 years of service at his retirement, a bronze life-sized statue was unveiled in his honour'. Central Deborah Gold Mine history: At its peak, Central Deborah Gold Mine reached a depth of 412 metres. It has 17 separate levels and 15 kilometres of drives and cross cuts (tunnels). The Central Deborah was very much a hands-on mine and the conditions that the miners worked in would be considered shocking by today's standards – being lowered underground in a cage with only two sides, often working ankle to knee deep in water, filling up to 32 ore trucks a shift by hand which were then pushed a mile or more along rails in the drives, working by carbide lamp, breathing in the fumes and rock dust and communication by bells. Geez, they were ironmen. However, at the time working conditions were considered to be among the best on the goldfields at Central Deborah, after all it was one of the only mines that had hot showers. Following Central Deborah Gold Mine's closure, the Bendigo skyline began to noticeably change. Obvious remnants of mining such as poppet heads, engine rooms, service quarters, battery houses and chimneys were steadily disappearing. After intense lobbying by the local community, the Bendigo City Council purchased the still very much intact Central Deborah Gold Mine in 1970 for a mere $6,000 to ensure that a vital link to Bendigo's historic golden past was maintained. The Bendigo Trust was then formed to oversee the operations of the Central Deborah Gold Mine, which led to the surface of the mine being opened to the public in 1971. Initially the surface was open for just 12 hours a week and as the demand for viewing a part of Bendigo's history increased, so did the opening hours. In 1974 the mine was gazetted as a Public Historical Purposes Reserve and attracted such visitors as H.R.H Prince Charles. By far the greatest shortcoming at this stage was that no one could view the underground workings, as these had become flooded. After what could only be described as a monumental effort by everyone involved, Level 2 of the mine was officially opened to the public by the Premier of Victoria, the Honourable John Cain, on 20 June 1986, which brought to fruition a long standing dream.Black and white photograph. Ray Beer, underground at Central Deborah Gold Mine, standing alongside wooden sign 'Murrell's Corner'. Sign is placed horizontally on timber supports; side of drive visible in background. Ray is wearing bib and brace overalls and hard hat with a belt around his waist. He is giving a 'thumbs up' sign. gold mining, central deborah gold mine, ray beer, mine manager -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Letter - MERLE HALL COLLECTION: ROSALIND PARK CREATIVE VILLAGE BENDIGO PROJECT LETTERS, 1994
Merle Hall Collection: Rosalind Park Creative Village Bendigo Project Letters 31 March 1994 To: Victorian Arts Council Members From Grant Finck Project Coordinator Content: Introduces himself as the coordinator for 12 months; to members looking for expression of interest, includes Information Sheet 1994 on what the Creative Village is. 27 October 1995 To: Mrs. Mearle Hall From: City of Greater Bendigo, Bernard Smith (Director Environmental Services) Content: Granting access to the Victoria Hill site for small quantities of geological material. 10 January 1996 To: Mrs. Mearle Hall From: City of Greater Bendigo, Bernard Smith (Director Environmental Services) Content: Endorsement of the project by the Council and confirmation that the Council will provide preliminary site work to allow the project to be enabled. Also advised the Arts Bendigo Mosaic Project makes contact with the Salvation Army (New Work Opportunity Project) 27 February 1996 To: Mrs. Mearle Hall From: Ken Beasley Manager Project Development The Smith Read Training Group. Content: LEAP Project Proposal - Mining Heritage Mosaic outlining the benefits of using LEAP Trainees to undertake the project. Proposed Scope of work outlining responsibilities of each participant. Bendigo Mining NL Environmental Trust Fund (Perseverance Exploration and Department of Energy and Minerals Victoria representatives) 27 June 1996 To: Mrs. Mearle Hall From: City of Greater Bendigo, Bernard Smith (Director Environmental Services) Content: Advising that the Council will match dollar for dollar funding for the engagement of an artist to supervise the construction of the Mosaic in Upper Rosalind Park up to $3,500. 22 July 1996 To: Anne Buzza From Geof Brown Camp Hill Primary School Content: Thanks for using and managing the school students to help create tiles. 9 October 1996 To: Mrs. Mearle Hall From: City of Greater Bendigo, Bernard Smith (Director Environmental Services) Content: Enclosed cheque for matching grant of $3500 15 October 1996 To: Mrs. Mearle Hall From: City of Greater Bendigo, Bernard Smith (Director Environmental Services) Content: Agreement to relocate the project facilities to the car park and to maintain a close liaison between the Council and Arts Bendigo. 13 November 1996 To: Mrs. Mearle Hall From: The Sidney Myer Fund Helen Morris Research Officer Content: Remittance advice for $1000 22 April 1997 To: Mrs. Mearle Hall From: John Little Administrator Victorian Arts Council Content: Remittance advice for $500 towards the project and enclosing 12 VAC Annual reports. 20 October 1998 To: Mrs. Mearle Hall From: City of Greater Bendigo, Andrew Hall (Director Community Development) Content: Advising that the Council will make a grant of $1090 for the purpose of printing of Brochures for Bendigo Heritage Mosaic. A service agreement to be signed before the issue of the grant, 21 March 2001 To: Mrs. Mearle Hall From: City of Greater Bendigo, Justin Hanney (Director Community Services) Content: A reference from Council supporting the project application to Vic Health for the development of a series of small mosaic pieces along the linear pathway asjacent to the Bendigo Creek. 12 November 1996 To: Mrs. Mearle Hall From: Arts Bendigo Inc. Content: Cheque for $2000 being first payment as under contract two for mosaic project. 4 December 1996 To: Mrs. Mearle Hall From: Arts Bendigo Inc. Content: Cheque for $2000 being second payment as under contract two for mosaic project. 27 July 1997 To: Maery Gabriel Mosaic Artist From: Arts Bendigo Inc. Content: Cheque for $2000 being final payment as under contract two for mosaic project. 12 June 1997 - Two copies To: Maery Gabriel Mosaic Artist From: Arts Bendigo Inc. Content: Agreement between Maery Gabriel (The artist) and Arts Bendigo Inc. to complete the final two sections of the Bendigo Heritage Mosaic at the base of the Rosalin Park Poppet Head, Bendigo with a design of approximately two square meters within each section. The work to be completed by the endo of July 1997, unless severe weather conditions make the laying impossible. Agreement for two lots of $2000. 14 June 1996 From: Maery Gabriel Mosaic Artist To: Arts Bendigo Inc. Content: receipt for 50% payment for two weeks and $60 Travelling expenses. 21 May 1996 Agreement between Arts Bendigo of P.O Box 563, Bendigo in the State of Victoria (hereinafter referred to as the ‘AB’ of the first part AND Meary Hall of Morningswood, Petersons Road, Ellinbank, 3821 in the State of Victoria (hereinafter referred to as ‘the artist’) of the second part. ENGAGEMENT: (a) AB engages the Artist to provide her services as Mosaic Artist for the design and creation of a Mosaic pavement surround to the poppet head lookout in Rosalind Park, Bendigo and matters incidental thereto at such schools, halls and any other places as required from time to time by AB and the Artist accepts the engagement upon the term and conditions hereinafter appearing. (b) Services to be provided by the artist include community consultation and design work in association with AB Co-Ordinator and Arts Bendigo, a minimum of six weeks of the artist’s time within the six months of the project. Completion of section one of the whole design with further work on the other sections to depend on available funding. The agreed fee was $5400 and $60 per visit to Bendigo with living away to be provided by Arts Bendigo 1 November 1996 Agreement between Arts Bendigo of P.O Box 563, Bendigo in the State of Victoria (hereinafter referred to as the ‘AB’ of the first part AND Meary Hall of Morningswood, Petersons Road, Ellinbank, 3821 in the State of Victoria (hereinafter referred to as ‘the artist’) of the second part. ENGAGEMENT: (a) AB engages the Artist to provide her services as Mosaic Artist for the design and creation of a Mosaic pavement surround to the poppet head lookout in Rosalind Park, Bendigo and matters incidental thereto at such schools, halls and any other places as required from time to time by AB and the Artist accepts the engagement upon the term and conditions hereinafter appearing. (b) Services to be provided by the artist include community consultation and design work in association with AB Co-Ordinator and Arts Bendigo, a minimum of six weeks of the artist’s time within the six months of the project. Completion of section one of the whole design with further work on the other sections to depend on available funding. The agreed fee was $5000 and $60 per visit to Bendigo with living away to be provided by Arts Bendigo, plus transfer of the diamond saw purchased by AB 28 August 1996 Memorial to Bendigo’s Mining Heritage and Traditions financial and other support as at August 128th Arts Bendigo Financial contribution: $7000 Local Busine Sponsors: $2800 City of Greater Bendigo Matching Above: $2800 City of Greater Bendigo Site works: Equiv, $12000 Local Businesses and institutions supplying goods and services to total value of: Equiv: $7600 Expenditure: Purchase of equipment, including diamond saw: $2000 Purchase of materials: $800 Artists design fees: $3000 Artists on site work, travel and accommodation: $12000 insurance, administration etc.: $700 31 May 1996 List of possible donors' checklist Undated Budget Sheet 21 September 1995 From: The Victorian Arts Council To: City of Greater Bendigo Content: Invoice for $5000 10 December 1995 From: Maery Gabriel artist To: Arts Bendigo Content: Invoice $1575 for design of Rosalind Park Lookout. 45 hours @ $35/hour 1 October 1996 Historic mining Mosaic Pavement, Rosalind Park Poppet Head Financial Statement as a October 1st, 1996 28 October 1996 From: Maery Gabriel To: Ann Buzza (representing Arts Bendigo) Report on project of Rosalind Park Mosaic as at October 1996. The report lists the difficulties faced with the weather, unsuitable facilities on site and problems with the LEAP team labour.victorian arts council, city of greater bendigo